In Conversation with Mike Wu: The Next Chapter of Club Batard Opens in Shanghai

Following the success of Club Bâtard Hong Kong, founder Mike Wu is preparing to open the club’s second location in Shanghai this November. Building on a decade of relationships in the city through The Fine Wine Experience, the new venture marks a natural next chapter for the brand—one that balances the familiar spirit of Club Bâtard with a deeper response to Shanghai’s culture, hospitality traditions, and evolving wine community.

In this conversation, Mike reflects on why Shanghai felt like the right home for the club’s next chapter, the importance of creating spaces that foster connection and belonging, and how a longstanding collaboration with Joyce Wang Studio continues to shape the experience he hopes to create for members and their guests.

With a new Club Bâtard on the horizon in Shanghai, what drew you to the city for the brand’s next chapter?

Shanghai is a city I have known all my life, I have close family connections there. At The Fine Wine Experience we have been local to Shanghai for almost ten years now and we have a large network of clients and partners. So when we opened Club Bâtard in Hong Kong in 2024, a lot of friends, clients and contacts in Shanghai began to ask us when we were going to open in Shanghai. Of course Shanghai is a vibrant dynamic city with a growing wine culture – there are many reasons to open there. But for us it runs much deeper. We grew from Hong Kong, Shanghai is a natural extension of home.

You’ve gained a loyal following for Club Bâtard in Hong Kong. How are planning to shape the space to match Shanghai’s culture, energy, and dining landscape?

That’s actually a really important question, and its right at the centre of our planning. Club Bâtard was born in Hong Kong – it’s a Chinese club with a largely Chinese membership. Hong Kong and Shanghai have much in common, and I think the core of what has worked in Hong Kong will work in Shanghai. But its also important for the club to reflect our Shanghai members’ needs and preferences, to reflect Shanghainese culture. Every decision we take in the development process reflects that core consideration. For example, we understand the need for private rooms in China, not just large ones but also small ones for 2-4 persons, and it would be even better if there is a side table to enjoy Chinese tea or play cards.

Having worked with our studio on the original Club Bâtard in Hong Kong and now your new Shanghai space, why do you value this kind of collaboration and how does our design contributes to the kind of experiences and sense of place you’re hoping to create?

In a way I think we both gain the dividend here of having worked closely together on the Hong Kong project. There’s a great deal of trust built up between us. Clubs often have a reputation for being conservative, for not taking risks, and they can – frankly – feel a little dull as a result. Joyce and the team know what we are looking for, and in return Joyce pushes us with some really innovative and exciting ideas. While working functionally, I think what the studio is developing here is really going to have the wow! factor members will love, and be proud of.

When you travel, what are the details you pay closest attention to?

Connectivity! I’m often still working when I travel, even for leisure, so good wifi, somewhere nice to sit with my laptop charging, I value that. But whatever it is I need, what I really value is service that anticipates what I need before I even ask for it. Often this comes from the knowledge built up by a place I visit often.

As you look ahead to opening in Shanghai this November, what kind of experience do you hope guests will take away? Do you have any surprises planned?

Do we have any surprises planned? Yes! Of course we want that first impression to be wow! It’s one of the joys for our Hong Kong members when they bring guests experiencing it for the first time. There’s a wow! factor. We want our Shanghai members to feel that joy, and that pride each time they bring their family, friends, and guests to their club. But over time, what I want them to feel is that sense of connection, of care, of trust, that this club was created for them, and that what we provide is fine-tuned their needs.

View the full project here.